CAMERAS

The first step you must take on your
journey is finding the right camera. So
what camera should you buy? The answer
isn’t simple, but once you understand some
important fundamentals you’ll be better
informed to make a good choice. One thing
you should remember is that the camera is
just a tool used in the process of making
great photographs—an artist’s vision creates
the image, the camera simply captures it.
Many of you may already have some
background knowledge of photography,
whether from studying art at high school or
college, or simply through practicing by
yourself. My first experience of photography is
still etched into my memory from the two years I
spent at college—the red light of the darkroom,
the smell of chemicals, and the many long hours
I spent trying to perfect my compositions. One
thing I knew for sure during those years was
that I was desperate to learn and develop as a
photographer, and so I tried to learn as much as
possible from research and using new tools. It is
those first years that really shaped who I wanted to become as an artist, and if you’re anything
like me, your initial experience will probably
shape you as well.
In this opening section of the book I’ll
provide practical guidance that will help you
make the right camera choice for you. However,
it’s important to remember that this information
is a guide only—it’s vital to try different models
before you make your final purchase, so test
as much as possible before buying. Your final
camera choice will ultimately come down to
how you prefer to work and your own
photographic style.